Holy Bible Online 
Amid despair and affliction, the prophet Jeremiah discovered the wonderful consolation of reflecting on God's mercies. The Lord's compassion is still present, they are 'new every morning'.
"21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;"Lamentations 3:21-25 - NIV
When we find ourselves in places and times of disasters and adversity, it's worth remembering God's love. He is good to all who trust in him.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Lamentations 3:21
This is most probably the best-known passage in the book of Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah as he emerges from a sea of suffering, a desert of afflictions, but even though he is downcast and sad, he tries to bring the flame of hope and life back to his heart.
The Affliction of the Righteous
The book of Lamentations demonstrates how sorrow and anguish affect the faithful, it is a poetic expression of grief and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. But Lamentations is not the only place in the Bible where we can find examples of how holy people go through difficulties:
- David - A man after God's own heart, but David was forced to flee from King Saul and live as a fugitive, where he faced the constant threat of persecution and death.
- Job - suffered the terrible loss of property and livelihood, all his children, his health, his wife's support, his friendships.
- Joseph - sold by his jealous brothers, enslaved, slandered, unjustly imprisoned, and forgotten.
Similarly, holy people all over the world go through deep problems, illness, loss, injustice, and sorrow, pushing them to the brink of despair. Perhaps this is your condition today too... but all is not lost... trust in the Lord: the crisis won't last forever!
"The Lord's people
may suffer a lot,
but he will always
bring them safely through."
Psalm 34:19
Believers often face challenges in their personal lives and when they empathize with the suffering of others in the world. This shared experience teaches us that by actively engaging with and responding to our pain and the pain of others, we can deepen our understanding of our vulnerabilities.
It also becomes very clear just how much we depend on the Lord. Jesus was our greatest example, the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), who cares for those who suffer. He is the cure (salvation) for the world, but he was wounded (bruised) for our sins.
You Are Not Alone!
Good days and bad days affect everyone. God made both so that no one would know their future (Ecclesiastes 7:14). What we do know is that at some point in time, all people, believers or not, experience sadness and affliction in their lives.
The difference for Christians is that we have the certainty and presence of a Comforter with us, who brings restoration and hope... The Eternal God, rich in mercy, is good and always by our side.
What Does 'lament' Mean?
A lament is a prayer, a request that comes from an anguished and broken heart. More than a complaint or murmuring against God, lamentation expresses the intense and profound pain of the sufferer. It is the cry of the soul, the cry of the bereaved, and those going through terrible suffering.
Jeremiah lamented the fact that Israel had been taken captive to Babylon and that Jerusalem had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. But as well as directing his lament to God through this tragedy, he acknowledges the people's sin and remembers that the merciful God has the power to restore all things.
Regret Turns Into Hope
When we lament before God, as well as being an expression of a broken heart, we are also confronted and led to reflect on our situation and the reason for our existence. Our lament points us to repentance and a brokenness that reconciles us with the Lord.
Hopefulness emerges from our recognition of sin, imperfections, and human limitations. God's mercies direct us toward a greater reality that extends beyond the present moment.
Make sense of your losses, cry out to God to overcome them, and find comfort in the Faithful Friend! As you walk this path of lament, brokenness and faith, you also need to remember that deeper than your suffering is God's love. He delivers us from evil! Have hope in him!
Memory At The Service of Hope
21 Then I remember something
that fills me with hope.
22 The Lord's kindness never fails!
If he had not been merciful,
we would have been destroyed.
Lamentations 3:21-22 (CEV)
Usually, memories become servants of discouragement and pain, when we cling to the bitterness and sadness of the past and present. However, if we cling to the Lord with our whole being (body, mind, and heart), our thoughts and memories will anchor themselves in Jesus and remind us of His infinite goodness.
Good memories can also be our allies in this process. Remember God and what brings you hope in his Word... In Jesus, we find peace and light on life's darkest paths... Train your mind to think of things that comfort you. If you are in deep trouble, try to remember:
- God is love and full of grace. It is through his mercy that we are not consumed.
- Problems don't last forever. When they have fulfilled their purpose, they are taken away. Just as the night passes, and soon the sun rises on a new day...
- Something better is to come. Have hope that the future with God will be wonderful!
- God is your portion. If you have lost much in this life except God, remember that He is your everything. You will never lose Him!
- God is good to those who hope in him. Wait and trust in his goodness! He is with you... Don't give up: keep going, don't stop believing!
The Reason for Hope
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;Lamentations 3:22b-25a
God hears the most anguished and afflicted hearts in dark times. He is the God who speaks through His Word and also lets us speak, without resenting us. With fear, sincerity, and trust, seek the Lord and pour out your heart... Make Him your best friend and unburden yourself to Him in prayer.
Try to forget what's left behind. Reinvent yourself, valuing what counts! Remember what is ahead and above all things. May God renew your hope, faith, and love, and may He grant you peace!
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